Patents by Inventor Ralf-Joachim Herrmann

Ralf-Joachim Herrmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9121667
    Abstract: A mortar includes at least one barrel mounted movably over a ball journal in a bottom supporting device, and an aiming device serving to aim the barrel vertically and horizontally. In order to be able to aim the barrel of the mortar automatically in a simple and cost advantageous manner, the aiming device preferably comprises a carriage that can be moved along guideways essentially horizontally towards or away from the barrel. At the carriage, the first end region of a pivoted arm is mounted so that it can be rotated about a pivot axis, and the second end region of the pivoted arm is connected with a spherical plain bearing, guiding the barrel. The spherical plain bearing embraces a housing part, which is open at its end faces and in which an inner part is mounted spherically (rotatably), which contains a cylindrical barrel guide, for movably accommodating the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Kohnen, Berthold Baumann, Ralf-Joachim Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20150233673
    Abstract: A mortar includes at least one barrel mounted movably over a ball journal in a bottom supporting device, and an aiming device serving to aim the barrel vertically and horizontally. In order to be able to aim the barrel of the mortar automatically in a simple and cost advantageous manner, the aiming device preferably comprises a carriage that can be moved along guideways essentially horizontally towards or away from the barrel. At the carriage, the first end region of a pivoted arm is mounted so that it can be rotated about a pivot axis, and the second end region of the pivoted arm is connected with a spherical plain bearing, guiding the barrel. The spherical plain bearing embraces a housing part, which is open at its end faces and in which an inner part is mounted spherically (rotatably), which contains a cylindrical barrel guide, for movably accommodating the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Norbert KOHNEN, Berthold BAUMANN, Ralf-Joachim HERRMANN
  • Patent number: 8794120
    Abstract: A mortar includes at least one barrel mounted movably over a ball journal in a bottom supporting device, and an aiming device serving to aim the barrel vertically and horizontally. In order to be able to aim the barrel of the mortar automatically in a simple and cost advantageous manner, the aiming device preferably comprises a carriage that can be moved along guideways essentially horizontally towards or away from the barrel. At the carriage, the first end region of a pivoted arm is mounted so that it can be rotated about a pivot axis, and the second end region of the pivoted arm is connected with a spherical plain bearing, guiding the barrel. The spherical plain bearing embraces a housing part, which is open at its end faces and in which an inner part is mounted spherically (rotatably), which contains a cylindrical barrel guide, for movably accommodating the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Berthold Baumann, Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Anke Hasenkox
  • Patent number: 8616112
    Abstract: A drive for a weapon is provided, wherein rotational motion of a motor is converted to a forward or reverse motion of the breech in a simple manner using the Scotch yoke principle. In order to allow rest periods of the breech in the end positions, the crank radius is defined by a control cam, which changes when the crank is rotated. The hinge pin of the crank may be externally driven via a pinion shaft. A yoke pin is arranged in a groove of the crank so as to be radially displaceable and carries the breech carrier or the breech in a groove extending transversely to the direction of fire via a sliding block. Two rollers are arranged on the crank pin and run in control cams in the weapon or crank housing. The control cam is subdivided into different sectors/sections, thereby achieving the desired motion of the breech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Heiner Schmees, Berthold Baumann
  • Patent number: 8479633
    Abstract: A mechanism or drive (100) for a weapon is described, which is characterized by only a limited acceleration of the breech (20) and a jerk- and recoil-free operation, thereby reducing the inertia force and the required power and increasing the repetition rate. The reduction of the required power also results in a reduction of braking power in the case of a quick stop. For this purpose, the rotational motion of preferably a motor (50) or the like is converted to a forward or reverse motion of the breech (20) using the Scotch yoke principle. In order to allow rest periods of the breech in the end limit positions, the rod (3) and the yoke (1) are arranged radially and displaceable relative to each other so that the yoke radius changes when the yoke (1) is rotated. A control cam (6) radially guides the rod (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Klaus Lawitzke, Heiner Schmees, Berthold Baumann
  • Patent number: 8459166
    Abstract: A seal is proposed between the drum (2) having a plurality of cartridge chambers (3) and a weapon barrel (1) of a drum cannon, wherein the seal comprises at least one elastically pretensioned obturation ring (4). Each cartridge chamber (3) has an obturation ring (4) for drum-side integration, while one obturation ring (4) suffices for barrel-side integration. The obturation is integrated between the two and is pressed against the face (9) of the weapon barrel (1) or the face of the cartridge chamber (3) that is aligned with the bore axis of the weapon barrel (1) such that immediate sealing occurs even at low gas pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Joachim Herrmann, Hans Hülsewis, Heiner Schmees
  • Patent number: 8413565
    Abstract: A drive, having a quick stop mechanism, for a breech is axially adjustable relative to a weapon barrel, and includes a motor, two counter-rotating chains and sprocket wheels that guide the chains. Engaging cams and control cams are integrated into the chains. A slide mounted at the bottom of the breech is displaceable transversely to the direction of fire and has a groove that the engaging cams engage to entrain the breech in a forward or reverse motion relative to the direction of fire. The engaging cam transporting the breech forwards is displaced from the groove while the control cam displaces the slide simultaneously to its center position via its ascent ramp, thereby allowing breech rest periods in the forward limit position. Firing causes the slide to move from the center position to the left hand side whereas it remains in the center position when no shot is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Klaus Lawitzke, Heiner Schmees, Berthold Baumann
  • Patent number: 8402874
    Abstract: A drive for a breech/breech carrier renders it axially adjustable relative to a weapon barrel. The drive includes a motor, two engaging cams mounted on a chain arranged below the breech and guided around two sprocket wheels. A slide is mounted in a guide at the bottom of the breech/breech carrier so as to move at a right angle to the direction of fire, with a groove extending over its entire width. The respective engaging cam entrains the breech in forward motion relative to the direction of fire, or in reverse motion, once the shot is fired, and transports the breech forwards, is displaced from the groove, and moves backwards without the breech, thereby allowing breech rest periods in a forward position. During firing, the slide moves, whereas it remains stationary when no shot is fired so no further engaging cam can entrain the breech backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Klaus Lawitzke, Heiner Schmees, Berthold Baumann
  • Patent number: 8397616
    Abstract: A tube weapon comprises a weapon tube arranged in an exchangeable fashion using screw thread at a breech block of the tube weapon, and a cradle tube in which the weapon tube is axially and displaceably positioned. Despite using screw thread for connecting the weapon tube with the breech end, prevention of axial, and preferably also radial play, are assured, whereby the weapon tube is removable via a cradle tube in front of the breech block. The weapon tube is pre-loaded in the stress direction, which occurs with firing stress, by a screw thread ring arranged in front at the breech block. The screw thread ring encircles the weapon tube and is preferably partially screwed in detachable fashion into the anterior end of the breech block, and efficiently supports itself, axially, with its anterior end located against a collar of the weapon tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmentall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Schmees, Ralf-Joachim Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8215221
    Abstract: A gun barrel with a gun barrel liner and a breech ring, which are joined with each other by a bayonet thread. A continuous cavity is left between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring that are located axially behind them or in front of them. A locking segment is inserted in at least one of the cavities that is formed in the installed gun barrel liner between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring to prevent unintentional detachment of the gun barrel liner from the breech ring. The locking segment can completely fill the corresponding cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Lawitzke, Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Bernhard Scheideler, Heiner Schmees
  • Publication number: 20120132061
    Abstract: A mechanism or drive (100) for a weapon is described, which is characterized by only a limited acceleration of the breech (20) and a jerk- and recoil-free operation, thereby reducing the inertia force and the required power and increasing the repetition rate. The reduction of the required power also results in a reduction of braking power in the case of a quick stop. For this purpose, the rotational motion of preferably a motor (50) or the like is converted to a forward or reverse motion of the breech (20) using the Scotch yoke principle. In order to allow rest periods of the breech in the end limit positions, the rod (3) and the yoke (1) are arranged radially and displaceable relative to each other so that the yoke radius changes when the yoke (1) is rotated. A control cam (6) radially guides the rod (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim HERRMANN, Klaus LAWITZKE, Heiner SCHMEES, Berthold BAUMANN
  • Publication number: 20120132062
    Abstract: A drive for a weapon is provided, wherein rotational motion of a motor is converted to a forward or reverse motion of the breech in a simple manner using the Scotch yoke principle. In order to allow rest periods of the breech in the end positions, the crank radius is defined by a control cam, which changes when the crank is rotated. The hinge pin of the crank may be externally driven via a pinion shaft. A yoke pin is arranged in a groove of the crank so as to be radially displaceable and carries the breech carrier or the breech in a groove extending transversely to the direction of fire via a sliding block. Two rollers are arranged on the crank pin and run in control cams in the weapon or crank housing. The control cam is subdivided into different sectors/sections, thereby achieving the desired motion of the breech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Joachim HERRMANN, Heiner SCHMEES, Berthold BAUMANN
  • Publication number: 20120024135
    Abstract: A mortar includes at least one barrel mounted movably over a ball journal in a bottom supporting device, and an aiming device serving to aim the barrel vertically and horizontally. In order to be able to aim the barrel of the mortar automatically in a simple and cost advantageous manner, the aiming device preferably comprises a carriage that can be moved along guideways essentially horizontally towards or away from the barrel. At the carriage, the first end region of a pivoted arm is mounted so that it can be rotated about a pivot axis, and the second end region of the pivoted arm is connected with a spherical plain bearing, guiding the barrel. The spherical plain bearing embraces a housing part, which is open at its end faces and in which an inner part is mounted spherically (rotatably), which contains a cylindrical barrel guide, for movably accommodating the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert KOHNEN, Berthold BAUMANN, Ralf-Joachim HERRMANN, Anke Hasenkox
  • Publication number: 20110314996
    Abstract: A drive, having a quick stop mechanism, for a breech is axially adjustable relative to a weapon barrel, and includes a motor, two counter-rotating chains and sprocket wheels that guide the chains. Engaging cams and control cams are integrated into the chains. A slide mounted at the bottom of the breech is displaceable transversely to the direction of fire and has a groove that the engaging cams engage to entrain the breech in a forward or reverse motion relative to the direction of fire. The engaging cam transporting the breech forwards is displaced from the groove while the control cam displaces the slide simultaneously to its center position via its ascent ramp, thereby allowing breech rest periods in the forward limit position. Firing causes the slide to move from the center position to the left hand side whereas it remains in the center position when no shot is fired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Joachim HERRMANN, Klaus LAWITZKE, Heiner SCHMEES, Berthold BAUMANN
  • Publication number: 20110290103
    Abstract: A drive for a breech/breech carrier renders it axially adjustable relative to a weapon barrel. The drive includes a motor, two engaging cams mounted on a chain arranged below the breech and guided around two sprocket wheels. A slide is mounted in a guide at the bottom of the breech/breech carrier so as to move at a right angle to the direction of fire, with a groove extending over its entire width. The respective engaging cam entrains the breech in forward motion relative to the direction of fire, or in reverse motion, once the shot is fired, and transports the breech forwards, is displaced from the groove, and moves backwards without the breech, thereby allowing breech rest periods in a forward position. During firing, the slide moves, whereas it remains stationary when no shot is fired so no further engaging cam can entrain the breech backwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Joachim HERRMANN, Klaus LAWITZKE, Heiner SCHMEES, Berthold BAUMANN
  • Publication number: 20110005376
    Abstract: A tube weapon comprises a weapon tube arranged in an exchangeable fashion using screw thread at a breech block of the tube weapon, and a cradle tube in which the weapon tube is axially and displaceably positioned. Despite using screw thread for connecting the weapon tube with the breech block, prevention of axial, and preferably also radial play, are assured, whereby the weapon tube is removable via a cradle tube in the front. The weapon tube is pre-loaded in the stress direction, which occurs with firing stress by a screw thread ring arranged in front at the breech block. The screw thread ring encircles the weapon tube and is preferably partially screwed in detachable fashion into the anterior end of the breech block facing the weapon tube muzzle, and efficiently supports itself, axially, with its anterior end located before the breech block against a collar of the weapon tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Heiner SCHMEES, Ralf-Joachim HERRMANN
  • Publication number: 20100175549
    Abstract: A seal is proposed between the drum (2) having a plurality of cartridge chambers (3) and a weapon barrel (1) of a drum cannon, wherein the seal comprises at least one elastically pretensioned obturation ring (4). Each cartridge chamber (3) has an obturation ring (4) for drum-side integration, while one obturation ring (4) suffices for barrel-side integration. The obturation is integrated between the two and is pressed against the face (9) of the weapon barrel (1) or the face of the cartridge chamber (3) that is aligned with the bore axis of the weapon barrel (1) such that immediate sealing occurs even at low gas pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Joachim Herrmann, Hans Hülsewis, Heiner Schmees
  • Publication number: 20090320673
    Abstract: A gun barrel with a gun barrel liner and a breech ring, which are joined with each other by a bayonet thread. A continuous cavity is left between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring that are located axially behind them or in front of them. A locking segment is inserted in at least one of the cavities that is formed in the installed gun barrel liner between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring to prevent unintentional detachment of the gun barrel liner from the breech ring. The locking segment can completely fill the corresponding cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus LAWITZKE, Ralf-Joachim HERRMANN, Bernhard SCHEIDELER, Heiner SCHMEES
  • Patent number: 7637197
    Abstract: It is proposed that a loading chamber of a weapon with a breech mechanism no longer be part of a cannon tube but rather that it form, together with a breechblock, a unit, which additionally contains a device for firing ammunition and which can move relative to the bore portion of the cannon tube. This design solution can be used in all weapons with various and different breech mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Joachim Herrmann, Heiner Schmees, Hans Hülsewis
  • Publication number: 20080276796
    Abstract: It is proposed that a loading chamber of a weapon with a breech mechanism no longer be part of a cannon tube but rather that it form, together with a breechblock, a unit, which additionally contains a device for firing ammunition and which can move relative to the bore portion of the cannon tube. This design solution can be used in all weapons with various and different breech mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Ralf-Joachim Herrmann